Spring!

Once again, I write this entry from our patio because it is Spring! The sounds of the birds combined with the splashing and gurgling of the garden pond waterfall makes a very relaxing place to work. If there is a negative to it, then it would be the urge to close my eyes and relax even more! Here is an early morning view from where I sit.

It is still a work in progress as I continue to add plants and flowers. All of the work throughout the winter will soon be awakening to a new life. I have forgotten where some of the bulbs were planted, so it's always a pleasant surprise to see them poke through the soil during my daily stroll. We usually see deer back here 3 or 4 days a week; in fact, we get many visitors such as rabbits, squirrels, turtles, cats, dogs, lizards, hawks, owls, many song birds, and even a lost pet goat one time.

Our photography bookings are increasing and I am very excited for what the future holds in store for us.

When is the last time you have had your portrait taken? Give us a call or email to schedule your session.

Randy

I have become "That" parent

I have always said that I was not going to be the type of parent who dresses up their child in silly outfits and then parade them around the town.

It all started when Grand-Ma-Ma bought our daughter, Riley, a really nice rocking horse for Christmas. Riley looks so cute on "Blaze". She hugs her and smiles all around her. And what do I do but suggest a cowboy hat for some photos. Only problem was when we got the hat, Lisa and I thought we would just go to the boot section of the store and have a look. Well, there they were the perfect matching boots and it didn't help that all who saw her stopped, stared, and commented on her cuteness. Riley loved her boots and even made extra steps to hear the clicking of her heels on the wooden floor. Okay maybe we'll buy big and she'll get extra use from them? Either way she wasn't taking them off that night. So we left the store now proud owners of a cowgirl hat and cowgirl boots.

Which leads me to today with the afternoon free and Riley happily awakening from her afternoon nap. We donned her new cowgirl garb and setup Blaze for some photos.







































In less than 10 minutes we were satisfied with our little cowgirl's photos. I wish it was always that easy.

So as I edit the photos from the shoot, I then realized than I have become "that" parent. What next I ask? Bunnies? Fairies? And it was then that I thought that I am just a normal parent enjoying the gift of our precious little girl and soaking in every day of this experience...and it is okay to be "that" parent.

Randy

Cheerleading and a Bridal show

We were once again contracted by American Cheerleader Magazine to cover the CHEERSPORT Nationals at the World Congress Center in Atlanta a week ago. In this highly competitive business of photography, we are always grateful for repeat business from clients. This marks the 6th year of working with them and we highly respect their staff. But due to our contract obligations, we will not post any of the photos from the event. Throughout the year, it still is nice to see our images published in both American Cheerleader Magazine and CheerBiz Magazine.

This past weekend was highlighted by the Bridal show at the new Locust Grove Conference Center. Lisa and I had the pleasure to meet many brides, moms and grooms. I am impressed with the conference center and I look forward to shooting some weddings there. I see many great possibilities for photos both inside and outside. If you haven't found a venue for your day, take a look at this new center.


We are booking our portrait sessions along with engagements and weddings. Let us know if we can be of assistance.


Randy

Southern Atlanta Bridal Event

We are honored to be a part of the 1st annual Southern Atlanta Bridal event sponsored by the new Locust Grove Conference Center, Sassy Southern Brides, and Atlanta Occasions.com.

The event we be held this Sunday, February 22, 2009 from 1PM to 5PM at the all new Locust Grove Conference Center in Locust Grove, Georgia.

Come out to meet us and see some examples of our photography as well as our custom album designs. We would love to help you with your wedding day photography plans and to discuss how we can capture your day for generations to come.

Randy

When There is Love

Outdoor location photography is special, but it can be very challenging. The flowers are not always blooming, the grass is not always green, and the trees are sometimes just bare. Not to mention the temperature and the wind can blow the hair to no end. But through all of this, nothing seems to matter when there is love.

This was the case this week when I met Tiffany and Salvatore at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. On the drive into the city, I heard the radio saying it was 33 degrees with a 16 degree windchill. I had my doubts about getting this session in let alone even having a meeting.

But when we met, they were full of smiles and eager to go. As we discussed their wedding plans, I knew we had to work quickly, but I also I wanted them to be relaxed. I saw how the sun backlit their hair and I simply asked them to kiss. This was my first frame of the day and I knew this was going to be fun!

This was all taking place while construction workers jackhammered the concrete and ran the leafblowers. Even the loud noises could not break the connection between client and photographer on this February afternoon.

I couldn't have a session in the city without some background buildings and they didn't complain about the walk further into the park.




















I had a wonderful time in the subpar conditions, thanks to two people with great attitudes. I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding. I love my job!

Randy

Emails, Phone Calls, Meetings, and Bookings!

There's lots of activity these days at the office as we are working with some of the brides that we met at the bridal show.

We are getting the opportunity to photograph at some amazing places this year. The creative possiblities of photography helps us truly enjoy what we do. It's great watching the excitement of the bride describing her vision of the perfect wedding!

We are often asked how we would describe our style. Hmmm...let me think on that one and expound. Our number one goal is to give the bride the photographs she wants to remember this day, as well as the groom and the parents. I do believe that the less stress there is, the better the photos! We strive to keep the stress out of the equation. This is the reason for no time limits on all of our packages. Another way we remove stress is that Lisa goes with the bride and I stay with the groom until starting the wedding party photos, and then we give two different perspectives of the ceremony and the reception.

We are experienced in many lighting situations and are very comfortable with our cameras. This allows us to stay relaxed and adjust the gear accordingly. We carry several backup cameras and flash equipment. This gives us peace of mind when the electronics decide to stop working.

I worked for over 5 years for a professional sports wire service. The lessions I learned as a photojournalist are invaluable to me. Using these, we try to blend in with the wedding. We are not the reason for this wedding -- the bride and groom are -- so we try to maintain an as-it-happens approach. Our experience also has taught us that Mom and Grandmother will want the posed shots.

At times our style may be considered edgy or arty. We are not afraid to turn the camera sideways, slow the shutter speed down for a blur, or drag the shutter to bring in the ambient light. We both love available light photography (no flash). We are always pushing the limits of our equipment and we have noticed that the more we push, the more we grow as photographers and the more the brides like our work.

We are not afraid to try things and lately our brides have been bringing some great requests for photography. We encourage the brides to be creative. We subscribe to many photography magazines and we attend seminars to stay current, never settling for what worked last year.

Regardless of a name for a style, it is a great complement to us when you book us for your wedding. You can be assured that we will devote our full attention to you on your day. Look at our galleries and the photos that you see are what you can expect from the both of us. We look forward to working with you!

Randy

Bridal Show a Success!

Wow! What a day we had at the Georgia Bridal Show last Sunday. Eyes were filled with excitement of their wedding day. We even saw several grooms tagging along, which was quite the feat on a football playoff Sunday! We would like to thank Elite Events for the quality show.



We also say, "Thank you!" to all of the brides and moms that stopped by to hear our presentation and to look at our albums. Several have already contacted us for booking and we are excited about meeting them and discussing how we can photograph their day. Just contact us if you would like to meet one-on-one and see more examples of our work.

We are also planning to attend a bridal show on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Locust Grove Conference Center in Locust Grove, Georgia. We look forward to seeing you there!

Randy